A North East museum owned by Northumbrian Water, is expecting to welcome thousands of people through its doors this weekend for its final opening of 2019 and a special classic vehicle show.
Ryhope Engines Museum in Sunderland is offering visitors the rare chance to see everything this spectacular Victorian water works has to offer in full operation.
Built in 1868, the volunteer-run museum once supplied drinking water to Sunderland and the surrounding areas for 100 years.
Now, the museum opens to the public every year for steaming events around bank holiday weekends, where visitors can see the site up and running, thanks to dedicated volunteers who help Northumbrian Water preserve the historic monument.
This weekend, the free event will also see around a range of classic vehicles parked up outside of the building.
Vicky Cairns of Northumbrian Water, who looks after the partnership with the museum volunteers, said: "Ryhope Engines Museum is a spectacular place to visit and this weekend will see the last public opening of 2019.
"This weekend will give visitors the rare chance to see this Victorian site in action and as an added bonus, there will be a classic vehicle show on the Sunday only.
"We are so proud of this historic landmark and of the partnership we have built up over the last 40 years with the volunteers, who do a wonderful job of helping us to preserve this special place for generations to come."
Visitors can expect to see two 100 horsepower beam engines built by R & W Hawthorn, three 'Lancashire' boilers dating from 1908 (two of which are in regular use), a blacksmith's forge with ironwork demonstrations, a waterwheel, numerous steam engines, pumps and waterworks accessories.
The site is also open to the public as a static exhibit every Sunday, between 2.00pm and 5.00pm, until the end of December.
Keith Bell, Chairman of Ryhope Engines Trust, said: "The team of volunteers are working hard to get everything ready for this weekend's opening and are excited to welcome visitors through the doors.
"We are looking forward to seeing the various classic vehicles, which has been proudly organised in partnership through the Sunderland & District Classic Vehicle Society."
Ryhope Engines Museum is open from Saturday October 26 to Sunday October 27, 2019 between 11.00am and 4.00pm, with the classic vehicles arriving on Sunday only.
For those wanting to really get involved, arrive just before 11.00am on each of the opening days and help the volunteers start up the engines for the day.
There is improved access for visitors with mobility issues and parents with pushchairs, with free parking which is limited.
The postcode for the site is SR2 0ND and for more information about the museum please visit www.ryhopeengines.org.uk